Triangle on the Cheap

Live well in the Triangle on a budget. Find fun, free things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC

outdoor concerts

Raleigh Wide Open — new bluegrass festival Oct. 2-4 (including kick-off celebration)

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Raleigh Wide Open is a new bluegrass festival coming to Raleigh October 3 and 4, 2025. It is presented by PNC Bank and produced by PineCone. Raleigh Wide Open continues the tradition started by IBMA World of Bluegrass, which took place in Raleigh for several years. Raleigh Wide Open is a FREE street festival, with music on multiple stages, food and drink, art vendors, and family fun. … [Read more...] about Raleigh Wide Open — new bluegrass festival Oct. 2-4 (including kick-off celebration)

Jazz in the Square Oct. 2: Patrick McGrew Trio and Também

Jazz in the Square is a free concert series presented by Downtown Raleigh Alliance, in partnership with Raleigh Parks and Sleepy Cat Records. It takes place in Moore Square, 200 S Blount Street, Raleigh, on select Thursdays from August 7 to September 25, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. UPDATE: The September 25th event has been canceled due to weather. At each installment, there will be beverage … [Read more...] about Jazz in the Square Oct. 2: Patrick McGrew Trio and Também

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Duke Arts at American Tobacco Campus in September

Duke Arts returns to American Tobacco Campus in September, 2026, with a new season curated by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt. This year’s theme centers foremothers and a lineage of women singer-songwriters who have shaped generations through storytelling and creative influence. The concert series will take place every Wednesday from September 9 to 30, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., at … [Read more...] about Duke Arts at American Tobacco Campus in September

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50th Anniversary of Durham’s CenterFest Sept. 20-21

CenterFest is Durham's largest cultural and community event, as well as North Carolina's longest running street art festival. The 50th Anniversary CenterFest will take place Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21, 2025. CenterFest takes place in the downtown Durham loop on Main and Chapel Hill Streets in the Five Points and CCB Plaza areas. Festival Highlights Include: Look … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of Durham’s CenterFest Sept. 20-21

NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ BugFest Sept. 20

BugFest, one of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences' most popular festivals, is returning to Downtown Raleigh on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival will include both indoor and outdoor activities. Indoor activities will be located in the Nature Exploration Center (NEC) and Nature Research Center (NRC). Outdoor activities will be located along Jones Street, … [Read more...] about NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ BugFest Sept. 20

Come Out and Play sculpture show in Pittsboro — enjoy sculptures and live music on the farm

The Come Out and Play sculpture show will take place at JimGin Farm, 150 Wild Horse Run, Pittsboro, North Carolina, on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, 2025, and then every Saturday through September 20, 2025. Each day it takes place from 12 p.m. until dark. This is a chance to see a wide variety of work from artists from around the Triangle, including sculpture, painting, glass … [Read more...] about Come Out and Play sculpture show in Pittsboro — enjoy sculptures and live music on the farm

Durham Oktoberfest in Durham Central Park Sept. 20

The Glass Jug Beer Lab is presenting Durham Oktoberfest at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 3 to 10 p.m. It's free to attend and family-friendly. The event features: … [Read more...] about Durham Oktoberfest in Durham Central Park Sept. 20

Pittsboro Sculpture Celebration Sept. 20

The Pittsboro Sculpture Celebration is the inaugural festival to celebrate Pittsboro's artists and public art. The celebration includes a ticketed welcome dinner, on September 19, 2025, and a free Sculpture Celebration on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, North Carolina. 39 sculptures will be on display from September 19 to October 16, 2025. They are all … [Read more...] about Pittsboro Sculpture Celebration Sept. 20

Morrisville International Festival Sept. 20

The Morrisville International Festival takes place Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 #B Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, North Carolina. This is a free festival. Check back soon for details. Highlights Performers Food Trucks … [Read more...] about Morrisville International Festival Sept. 20

Big Band Bash in the Park in Garner Sept. 20

Optimist Club of Garner is hosting Big Band Bash in the Park on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, North Carolina. This is a free, kid-friendly event. Neuse River Big Band will be sharing the sounds and styles of the Big Band Era. Food trucks will be on site, offering food and drink for purchase. … [Read more...] about Big Band Bash in the Park in Garner Sept. 20

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